Cylinder loading tool

ABSTRACT

A cylinder loading tool for loading pins and springs into a pin tumbler cylinder for a pin tumbler lock set includes a rod, longer than the pin tumbler cylinder, having a slot extending therein from end to end with axially aligned, radial pin bores in the rod intersecting the slot together with a cylindrical sleeve adapted to fit over the rod and together with a slide of generally rectangular configuration adapted to fit readily within the slot and having an inclined cam surface along one side adapted to abut a pin and spring combination in one of the radial bores in the rod and to press such pin and spring combination outwardly against the sleeve or into the cylinder.

United States Patent [151 3,664,W7 Schlage [451 23,1972

[5 CYLINDER LOADING TOOL Primary ExaminerAndrew R. Juhasz Assistant Examiner-Michael Koczo, .I r. [72] Inventor. Ernest L. Schlage, Burlingame, Calif. Attomey bothrop & west [73] Assignee: Schlage Lock Company 22 Filed: Oct. 5, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT Appl. No.: 78,026

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1971 Ellis ..29/259 A cylinder loading tool for loading pins and springs into a pin tumbler cylinder for a pin tumbler lock set includes a rod, longer than the pin tumbler cylinder, having a slot extending therein from end to end with axially aligned, radial pin bores in the rod intersecting the slot together with a cylindrical sleeve adapted to fit over the rod and together with a slide of generally rectangular configuration adapted to fit readily within the slot and having an inclined cam surface along one side adapted to abut a pin and spring combination in one of the radial bores in the rod and to press such pin and spring combination outwardly against the sleeve or into the cylinder 7 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIGJ.

FIG!!- FIG 3 INVENTOR. ERNEST L. SCHLAGE Y AT TORN EYS Patent ed 23, 1972 I 3,664,0U7

2 sheets s 2 INVENTOR, RNEST L. SCHLAGE ATTORNEYS CYLINDER LOADING TOOL In many pin tumbler cylinder lock sets it becomes necessary from time to time, particularly in locksmithing shops, to work with the pins and springs in the various bores in the cylinder mechanism. Usually the cylinder is a body with a circular cylindrical, axial bore therethrough and has a number of axially aligned, radially extending pin holes therein intersecting the bore but not necessarily breaking out of the cylinder casing itself. It is necessary to load the springs and pin tumblers into the blind pin holes through the axial bore. These parts are relatively small and the springs are relatively difficult to handle, especially during an attempt to compress them. Usually several, say five or six, of the pin tumbler and spring sets must be installed in a cylinder. There is, consequently, a need for some assisting means or tool so that a locksmith can readily charge a cylinder with appropriate pins and springs and without excessive labor or difficulty.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a cylinder loading tool useful in loading springs and pin tumblers into a pin tumbler cylinder of a lock set.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cylinder loading tool which can readily be manipulated by even an unskilled user and which assists him in charging a cylinder with pin tumblers and springs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a very simple cylinder loading tool that can economically and readily be fabricated and can quite easily and simply be utilized.

Other objects, together with the foregoing, are attained in the embodiments of the invention described in the accompanying description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a portion of a standard cylinder in transverse cross section on an axial plane and a plug normally rotatable therein with the plug also in cross section on the same plane to show its interior construction, some pins being omitted from the plug and cylinder for clarity;

FIG. 2 is a plan of the rod portion of the cylinder loading tool pursuant to the invention;

FIG. 3 is an elevation of one end of the rod of FIG. 2;

F IG. 4 is an elevation of the other end of the rod of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of a sleeve utilized with the rod of FIG; 2;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view, portions being broken away, of a modified form of a lock cylinder plug;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a slide pursuant to the inventlon;

FIGS. 8 to 12 are isometric views showing the cylinder loading tool of the invention in various stages of use;

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a modified form of cylinder loading tool pursuant to the invention;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 but showing the parts in a different relationship.

The cylinder loading tool pursuant to the invention is primarily for use in the usual kind of lock cylinder mechanism. As particularly illustrated in FIG. 1, this mechanism includes a lock cylinder 6 customarily having a tubular portion, usually of metal, and having a radial extension 7 disposed along the length thereof. The cylinder 6 has an axial bore 8 and the extension 7 includes a number of axially aligned, radially extending pinholes 9, usually five or six or even seven in number. These do not break through or out of the upper portion of the material of the extension 7 but do break through into or intersect with the axial bore 8. Each pin hole 9, in a usual case, functions with one or more pins such as pins 1 1 and 12, as well as a spring 14. The pins and springs may be supplied in various numbers.

Designed to rotate coaxially within the cylinder 6 is a cylinder plug 16 having an axially extending keyway 17 therethrough. Several pin bores 18 are arranged in axial alignment and extend radially. The pin bores 18 not only break through the material of the plug 16 but likewise intersect a part only of the keyway 17. The keyway is narrower than the pin bore diameter. The bores 18 are spaced and arranged to correspond with the pin holes 9 in one position of the plug l6 within the cylinder 6. Pins 19 are disposed in some or all of the bores 18. These pins 19 may be of different lengths so as to be flush with the plug surface when resting against the associated notch in a key 20 inserted into the keyway 17. With the pins 11 and 12 and springs 14 in place and with the plug 16 properly oriented within the cylinder 6 the springs 14 expel the various pins 11 and 12 so that the pins 11 abut the pins 19 in the bores 18. As well recognized, when a proper key 20 is slid into the keyway 17 the serrated edge of the key positions the various adjacent pins 19 so that the abutting faces of the pins 11 and 19 coincide with the shear line between the plug and the cylinder. When the parts are thus properly positioned, the key can rotate the plug 16 within the cylinder 6.

Since it is an awkward and difficult job to place or replace the pins 11 and 12 and the springs 14 in the cylinder 6, I preferably provide a cylinder loading tool having three main parts. One ofthe parts is a rod 21 as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4v This rod is conveniently fabricated of metal and is circular cylindrical. It is of slightly less diameter than the bore 8 so that the rod can readily be received therein. Although not necessarily so, the rod 21 is preferably made considerably longer than the cylinder 6. The length of the cylinder is preferably demarked on the rod by a pair of marking grooves 22 and 23. Throughout its length and extending well past the center along a diametral plane, there is formed in the rod 21 a slot 24 of a width having a convenient dimension but substantially less than the diametral dimension of the pin holes 9.

Also formed in the rod and preferably between the markers 22 and 23 are radial bores 26 disposed in axial alignment, extending radially and arranged just as are the pin bores 9. The bores 26 intersect and are symmetrical with the slot 24 and extend for substantially the full depth of the slot. Since the rod is to be handled manually, it is convenient to have both of the ends thereof provided with a slight chamfer 27. The chamfers also assist in the use of the rod.

In practice the rod 21 is appropriately hand held or otherwise supported, usually in a horizontal attitude and with the bores 26 vertical. The desired number and arrangement of pins such as 11 and 12 is dropped into whatever ones of the radial bores 26 are scheduled to receive them and in the order in which they are to be positioned for use in a particular lock set. In addition to the pins in each one or more of the bores 26, a spring 14 is provided for each of the pin sets. When appropriately loaded into the rod bores 26 on top of the pins, the springs usually rest in a position partially confined within the rod and partly extending radially therefrom. So long as the rod is held generally horizontally with the bores 26 in an approximately vertical orientation, the pins and springs are stable and stay in position.

Pursuant to the invention, a sleeve 28 is provided to be received by and to slide along the rod 21. The sleeve usually is made of metal and of a circular cylindrical configuration and about as long as the cylinder 6. Extending entirely through the sleeve is an axial bore 29 slightly larger in diameter than the diameter of the rod 21 so that the sleeve, once guided onto the rod, can be advanced thereover. In practice, after the bores 26 have been loaded with pins and springs, as described, the sleeve 28 is slipped over one end of the rod and is advanced along the rod until the leading edge of the sleeve is immediately adjacent to the nearest one of the outstanding springs 14.

To assist in the next step of the loading operation and also for use in other steps, there is provided, as shown in FIG. 7, a slide 31. This is generally a rectangular strip, usually of metal, having a width slightly less than the width of the slot 24, having a height slightly less than the height of the slot 24 and having a length approximately the same as that of the rod 21. The slide is not entirely rectangular since along one side and adjacent one end it is provided with a cam surface 32 defined by a bevel terminating in a point merger with one side and disposed at an angle or slope which is relatively flat.

In one use, the slide 31 acts simply as a spring holding and displacing device. The user preferably puts the slide point 33 on the outstanding spring 14 adjacent the advancing edge of the sleeve 28 and compresses and depresses such spring until it is substantially flush with or slightly below the surface of the rod 21. If desired, as shown in FIG. 10, the sleeve 28 can be provided with a notch 34 narrower than the spring diameter, so as to overlie both sides of a spring depressed by the end of the slide 31 in the notch. While the spring is so held the sleeve is advanced thereover. The slide point is pushed away as the sleeve advances so that the first set of pins with the depressed spring is confined within the rod 21 and beneath the envelope of the sleeve 28. As the advancing edge of the sleeve approaches the second projecting spring, the slide 31 is similarly utilized momentarily to depress the spring while the sleeve is advanced thereover. This operation is repeated for each one of the radial bores from which a spring projects. After the final spring has been compressed and overridden by the sleeve, the sleeve is approximately centralized between the markers 22 and 23. All of the pins and springs are captured within the rod and are confined within the surrounding sleeve.

As a next step, an empty cylinder 6 is moved over the end of the rod 21 in proper relationship to the order of the pin bores 26. The cylinder 6 is advanced along the rod against the sleeve 28 and axially displaces the sleeve from over the individual spring and pin assemblies as the cylinder 6 overrides such spring and pin assemblies. So that a direct rather than an inverse sequence be assured, it is preferred that the cylinder 6 be first slightly rotated before being advanced along the rod so that the plane of the pin holes 9 does not coincide with the plane of the slot 24. In this fashion, as the cylinder is advanced over the rod, the pin and spring combinations underlie the solid circular cylindrical portion of the cylinder while the sleeve is being displaced. When the sleeve is finally displaced from between the markers 22 and 23 and the cylinder itself is in that location, the sleeve can then be entirely removed from the rod. The cylinder extension 7 is not in alignment with the slot 24. When the cylinder, still between the markers is slightly rotated into such alignment, the pin holes 9 are brought into radial alignment with each one of the bores 26 so that, in effect, the two sets of holes and bores are continuous. The springs may then expand at least part way into the pin holes 9.

The user then takes the slide 31 and introduces it into the slot 24 from one end with the point 33 leading and disposed near the bottom of the slot. As the user advances the slide within the slot 24, the point 33 underrides the first one of the bottom pins 11. The angle of the cam surface 32 being sufficiently gentle, there is a force component which tends to lift the pin 11 and any superposed pin 12 and the spring 14 so that the pin-spring combination is lifted and compressed into the extension 7. As the slide advances, the successive pins are similarly displaced radially outwardly into the portion 7 so that they are transferred entirely out of and away from the rod 21.

At this juncture, the rod 21 and the cylinder 6 are relative rotated about the longitudinal axis so that the bores 26 are no longer in radial alignment with the pin and spring sets. This being true, the lower pins 11 simply rest on the smooth surface of the rod 21. The plug 16 intended to be utilized with the cylinder 6 is provided with its key and with proper pins 19 flush with the surface and the loaded plug is placed at the end of the rod 21 in axial coincidence therewith. The plug 16 and rod are then simultaneously moved along the axis relative to the cylinder until the plug enters into the cylinder 6 as it displaces the rod 21 therefrom. The plug is so moved into the cylinder until it resides in a location with the bores 18 in the plug in the same transverse planes as but out of register with the pin holes in the cylinder. The plug and cylinder are then rotated to bring the bores 18 and holes 9 into alignment. When the key 20 is withdrawn, the springs 14 expel the pins 1] partially from the projection 7 and into the plug bores 18 as far as they will go; that is, substantially into the keyway 17. In this way, the cylinder and plug are assembled with the pins and springs in proper position. The cylinder loading tool has been completely removed from the cylinder, the sleeve 28 has been removed from the plug 21 and the blade 31 has been withdrawn from the slot 24 so that the tool is available for a subsequent use.

In many cases, generally due to the particular construction of the cylinder unit, the sleeve 28 is particularly helpful and when used as described assists materially in the assembly operation. There are other instances, particularly when the cylinder 6 is readily accessible, in which the separate sleeve 28 can be replaced by the cylinder itself. That is, instead of moving the sleeve 28 along the rod 21, as shown in FIG. 9, the cylinder 6, rotated so that the extension does not align with the slot 24, is itself slipped over the rod and is moved along as the springs are sequentially depressed. Following that, the cylinder is rotated to align the holes 9 and the bores 26 and the process continues with the slide 31 displacing the pins and springs.

In some instances a cylinder plug 36 (FIG. 6) is provided with a projecting end 37 and is referred to as a mortise plug. For use with this type of plug, the rod 21 adjacent one end has a channel 38 extending diametrically across the rod. When the plug 36 is to be assembled with a cylinder, the mortise end 37 fits into the channel 38. The plug 36 and the rod 21 thus have coincident circular cylindrical surfaces making the sleeve and cylinder transfer smooth and easy.

In a modified form of arrangement, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the structure is similar to that previously described. A special sleeve 41 has an extension 42 disposed radially of the main body of the sleeve and has open ended pin bores 43 therein. In this case there is also a longitudinally extending, open ended, radial slot 44 cut to intersect the bores 43. In the use of this structure, the sleeve 41 is assembled on the rod 21 in the same way the sleeve 28 was slipped on. Pins, such as pins 11 and 12, and springs 14 are then loaded into the bores 43. The springs may project from the extension 42. The slide 31 is utilized in a little different fashion in that it is laid over or along the tops of all of the springs 14 and is then moved radially inwardly. All of the pins and springs are in this way transferred from the radial extension 42 into the bores 26 of the central rod 21. Thereupon the slide 31 and the sleeve 41 are rotated slightly, thus capturing the compressed springs and the pins within the rod. Following that, the slide 31 can be removed. Then the standard cylinder mechanism is slipped over the rod 21. This cylinder is lined up approximately with the sleeve 41 and the two are then displaced axially until the cylinder is in the proper axial location. The cylinder is then rotated to align the cylinder pin holes with the bores in the rod 21. At that juncture, the springs may transfer, at least in part, into the cylinder. The slide 31 is then introduced into the longitudinal groove 24 of the rod, as before, and is moved inwardly to act as a cam to transfer all of the pins and springs into the cylinder extension. Following this, the cylinder is rotated slightly on the rod and the rod and slide are withdrawn, the rod being immediately followed in end to end relationship by a plug loaded with a key and pins 19. When the plug is in home position and is rotated into alignment with the extension 7, the pins 11 and 19 take up their proper abutting relationship and the assembly has been accomplished.

What is claimed is:

1. A cylinder loading tool for loading pins and springs into a pin tumbler cylinder having an axial bore and having a plurality of axially aligned radial pin holes spaced apart within a predetermined axial length and intersecting said axial bore comprising a rod adapted to fit axially into said bore and having a length greater than said predetermined length, said rod having a longitudinally extending, open ended, radial slot of predetermined depth therein and having a plurality of axially aligned radial bores therein spaced apart within said predetermined axial length to correspond to said pin holes and intersecting said slot, a cylindrical member having a solid portion of substantially said predetermined axial length and adapted to slide over said rod with said solid portion covering said radial bores in said rod, and a generally rectangular slide of at least the length of said rod, of a thickness slidably filling said slot, of a width substantially the same as said predetermined depth and having along one side edge a cam surface at an angle effective to lift a pin in one of said radial bores out of said radial bore when said radial bore is uncovered and said cam surface abuts the end of said pin and said slide is moved axially within said slot.

2. A tool as in claim 1 including means defining marking grooves on said rod and spaced apart said predetermined axial length.

3. A tool as in claim 1 in which said radial bores in said rod extend substantially to the bottom of said slot therein.

4. A tool as in claim 1 in which said cylindrical member is said pin tumbler cylinder.

5. A tool as in claim 1 in which said cylindrical member is a sleeve.

6. A tool as in claim 5 in which said sleeve is provided with an axially extending edge notch having a width just sufficient to receive said slide.

7. A tool as in claim 5 in which said sleeve is provided with a radial extension disposed along the length thereof, said extension including axially aligned radially extending pin bores, and a longitudinally extending open ended slot intersecting said pin bores, said slot having a width just sufficient to receive said slide. 

1. A cylinder loading tool for loading pins and springs into a pin tumbler cylinder having an axial bore and having a plurality of axially aligned radial pin holes spaced apart within a predetermined axial length and intersecting said axial bore comprising a rod adapted to fit axially into said bore and having a length greater than said predetermined length, said rod having a longitudinally extending, open ended, radial slot of predetermined depth therein and having a plurality of axially aligned radial bores therein spaced apart within said predetermined axial length to correspond to said pin holes and intersecting said slot, a cylindrical member having a solid portion of substantially said predetermined axial length and adapted to slide over said rod with said solid portion covering said radial bores in said rod, and a generally rectangular slide of at least the length of said rod, of a thickness slidably filling said slot, of a width substantially the same as said predetermined depth and having along one side edge a cam surface at an angle effective to lift a pin in one of said radial bores out of said radial bore when said radial bore is uncovered and said cam surface abuts the end of said pin and said slide is moved axially within said slot.
 2. A tool as in claim 1 including means defining marking grooves on said rod and spaced apart said predetermined axial length.
 3. A tool as in claim 1 in which said radial bores in said rod extend substantially to the bottom of said slot therein.
 4. A tool as in claim 1 in which said cylindrical member is said pin tumbler cylinder.
 5. A tool as in claim 1 in which said cylindrical member is a sleeve.
 6. A tool as in claim 5 in which said sleeve is provided with an axially extending edge notch having a width just sufficient to receive said slide.
 7. A tool as in claim 5 in which said sleeve is provided with a radial extension disposed along the length thereof, said extension including axially aligned radially extending pin bores, and a longitudinally extending open ended slot intersecting said pin bores, said slot having a width just sufficient to receive said slide. 